Railway-spike



W. C. CLARK.

RAILWAY SPIKE. APPLICATION FILED FEB; 26. I92].

Mil/ am C. C lar 0 WILLIAM G. CLARK, OF SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

RAILWAY-SPIKE.

Application filed February 26, 1921.

useful Improvements in RailwaySpikes, of

which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to 1mprovements in railway spikes designed for use especially in connection with a standard type of tie plate for securing or fastening the railway rail to the tie.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a spike constructed and shaped in such simple manner that it can be produced in quantities at comparatively inexpensive cost, which will be strong and durable, and applicable, without material change, for use in connection with existing track equipment, thus providing an improved and more effective rail fastening device readily adapted for use under existing conditions of railway construction. By the utilization of my invention, the rail is retained in proper position against lateral dis placement, and provisionis made for the required longitudinal movement of the rail caused by expansion and contraction thereof due to changes in atmospheric temperatures. The novel form of spike is specially fashioned for co-action with the tie plate and rail flange for retention of the rail, and par- ;ticularly adapted for shedding water from the spike-hole in the tie plate and tie with a view to preventing rust and other deleterious consequences. To these ends the'invention consists in certain novel featuresof construction and combinations of parts as will be more fully pointed out and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated one complete example of a pair of complementary spikes for useat the respective inner and outer sides of the rail,

which physically embody my invention, ac-

cording to the best modes I have thus far devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention.

Figure 1 is a transverse, vertical sectional view through a railway rail, showing a tie plate in section, together with a portion of the tie also in section, and illustrating the position and use of the complementary spikes.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Serial No. 447,948.

matter of the invention may readily be un derstood I have depicted a standard form of rail designated as a whole by the numeral 1 having the usual web 2 and flanged base 3, and as is customary in the most approved practice, a metallic tie plate 4 with square spike holes 4" is shown in Fig. 1. The tie plate has at its under surface the longitudinally extending ribs 5 and on its upper surface, at the outer side of the rail, a longitudinal rib 6 having a shoulder 7 is provided to co-act with the rail flange to prevent spreading of the rails. The tie 8, as illustrated is of the wood type, and it will be readily apparent that the tie plate is interposed between the rail base and tie as shown in Fig. 1.

The complementary spikes are designated 9 and 10, the former for use at the outer side of the rail and the latter for use at the inner side of the rail as indicated. Each of the spikes has a usual form of shank 11 and is provided with longitudinal grooves 12 in the shank to more securely retain the spike head is adapted to receive blows of the hammer for driving the spike into the tie as it is passed through the tie plate, the entrance into the wood being made by the wedge point 13 of the spike.

In addition to the driving heads the spikes are provided each with a retaining head including a retaining lug 15 which projects over the rail base flange 3 with its inclined under face 15 in normal position elevated slightly out of contact with the upper face of the rail base as shown. The contact or relation between the retaining lug and rail base is Patented Uct. ii, leer.

such as to retain the rail from turning over, and yet allow for the necessary movement of the rail base flange due to expansion or contraction caused by changes in atmospheric temperatures.

In addition to the retaining lug 15, the spike 10 has an outwardly projecting, lateral flange 16 forming part of the retaining head and fashioned with an inclined under face 17 complementary to the upper inclined face of the tie plate upon which it rests. And the corresponding flange 18 of the spike 9 has a pair of angular faces 19 and 20 for engaging the tie plate and its shouldered rib (3, as seen at the left in Fig. 1.

From this description taken in connection with my drawings it will" be apparent that the grooved shank is fashioned with the necessary driving head and comparatively wide spreading retaining head, the latter composed of the inner lug and outer flange, and the retaining head, which covers the spike. hole is formed with its sides projecting from the shank, in such manner as to shed water therefrom and thus protect the joint from weather conditions. The close contact of the retaining heads with the tie plate, and engagement of the upper end of the shank with the outer edges of the flanges of the rail base, provide a rigid and secure anchorage for the rail.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is I. A spike having a shank, and a retaining head comprising an inwardly projecting rail lug and an outwardly projecting plate flange. and said head projecting bodily beyond the cross area of the shank, the under portion of the plate flange having angular faces for contact with a tie plate.

2. A spike having a grooved shank and a driving head formed with undercut sides. a retaining head beneath the 'riving head projecting over the shank at all sides, said retaining head comprising an outwardly projecting flange formed with an angular under face for contact with a ribbed tieplate and with an inwardly projecting retaining lug for co-action with a rail flange whereby longitudinal movement of the rail is permitted, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

WILLIAM C. CLARK. 

